celery pond

En route to holiday events I picked up Al Gore’s book, “An Inconvenient Truth” at the airport and read it on the flight.

The information that he’s collected, along with the pictures and graphs, makes one pause to think and reflect, much like the wetland issue has done for us quite specifically in South Haven. Because of the “dramatic changes” that are taking place, as Gore describes the effects of global warming, it’s becoming evident that we all need to realize that we are entering a new relationship with the Earth.

Gore reminds us that “what we do to nature we do to ourselves.”

He’s well aware that city landscapes operate with a “mesmerizing power of an overscheduled, overpopulated, hyperstimulated environment”…that are “designed to monopolize our attention, to sell us things, to speed us from one place to the next, to focus us on matters that appear to be vital, even when they’re not.”

Because Gore lived the fast-paced life but was also greatly connected to the land he realized that if a person never put himself in the midst of nature, he or she could not “understand that its essence is our essence,” and then that individual would be “inclined to treat it as trivial…. willing to abuse and destroy it through carelessness, not recognizing that to do so is wrong…”

He adds that because we view nature as something to serve our needs, we make its resources “lucrative engines of commerce,” with the simultaneous trend to “grab it and rip it out, never thinking twice about the wounds left behind.” He asks his readers, again and again, to ‘act affirmatively to stop the harm that we’re putting in motion by furthering environmental destruction.”

To take affirmative action at a local level, is to become aware of the issues involved with the wetland of Celery Pond and the adjacent public lands that are on the floodplain. Both should be kept as open spaces for environmental balances.

To choose this path is to challenge the whole city plan of developing the wetland into a marina, and selling off the public lands for condos and other development that will seal the lands that need to stay open and porous to balance the whole. What will we choose to do in 2007?

A Happy New Year will truly come in if we act with wisdom. If you follow the advice of experts or the thinking of Al Gore, the months ahead will require us to start a new relationship with the earth and with ourselves, looking at what will sustain balance of the whole.

Saving the wetland of Celery Pond is a way to take the first step of affirmative action in 2007. It also will let us say, with conviction for the future, Happy New Year!

See yesterday’s post for the first part of this City Manger report made for the December 18th City Council workshop agenda. Today’s post is page 2 of that report:

“Dunkley Ave. Developement Area

Request for Development Proposals

City of South Haven

“The City of South Haven is seeking development partners for a site located near Downtown South Haven, the Black River, and Lake Michigan beaches. (Comment (KA1): Do you want to take a simple proposal to sell land to highest bidder or do you want to review development proposals?)

“The potential development area includes roughly 10 acres of property owned by the City of South Haven. The City will not participate in acquisition of adjoining, privately owned land. However, projects which include a combination of City owned property and privately owned property would be encouraged and considered as one of the factors in the City’s decision. (Comment (KA2): Do you want to encourage a development of a larger scale than just city property?)

“The locations of public streets and utilities may be reconfigured to meet the needs of a design proposal. Public infrasturcture funding is available through Downtwon Development Authority tax capture programs. The wastewater treatment plant may be relocated if there is a sufficient amount of new property value constructed in its location. The boat launch facility (“Black River Park”) is not part of the development area, and the City the sale existing park land will not be considered. (Comment (KA3): Does council want to use DDA TIF funds for street, sanitary sewer, water and storm sewer projects? (KA4): Is council willing to relocated the WWTP using TIF funds?)

“In 2006 City Council adopted a Master Plan for the city owned property within the Dunkley Street Redevelopment Area. Any proposals will include public access to waterfront property and public ownership of property directly on the water as described in the master plan. This plan also calls for mixed uses, pedestrian connections to the downtown, the Harborwalk and the Kal-Haven Trail. The master plan can be found at the following website location: http://www.south-haven.com/csh%2Ofolder/csh/index.html.

City of South Haven priorities for the project area include: (Comment (KA5): Are these the correct priorities that will be considered? Should they be listed in order of Council priority?)

• public waterfront access preservation
• tax base development
• walkable residential community near downtown services
• linkage to adjacent neighborhoods
• connection to bicycle trail
• improve development potential of surrounding area
• price
• job creation …” (report concludes with description of proposal format for developers)…

From the Blog Author:  Merry Christmas!

While you’re out Christmas shopping and thinking about those presents, there’s another kind of presentation that’s been going on. On December 18, 2006, the City Council received a workshop agenda item of 4 detailed pages from City Manager Kevin Anderson called a “Draft RFP for Dunkley Street Property Bids.” RFP=Request for Proposal.

Evidently, in this most sacred time of year when most of us are distracted to other things, the City Manager never lets Council rest. The City operation is blantantly telling us that time is speeding up beyond our expectations. Whereas the Dunkley Street project, we were told by the City Manager, would be a 10 year project, this is being rapidly mounted over the next year, 2007, with bids and movement starting construction by the summer of 2008, if the GANTT chart which gives a timeline, attached to this report, is correct.

Trying to get into the City website is often impossible. The 229 pages of the December 18th agenda notes simply wouldn’t download so I finally contacted Kevin Anderson, who did send the four pages along. In case you have a similar problem, I’ll be quoting the extent of the report herein. (The page of the timeline would have to be accessed for its table on the City site.) Taken directly from the City Manager’s report:

“Background information:”

“The City is at the point where it can look at the second step of implementing the master plan for the city-owned land on Dunkley. This implementation step is consistent with the report given to Council at the August 21, 2006 meeting when Council adopted the Master Plan for city-owned property in the Dunkley St. Redevelopment Area. Attached is a draft of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to sell and/or partner in the redevelopment of this land. The attached document is the first kick at an RFP and I’ve included a series of questions in comment boxes that council will need to walk through before the document can be finalized. I expect that it will take several meetings for council to define the scope of what is/is not acceptable.”

“The general procedure is as follows:

• 1. Develop the parameters of an acceptable land sale in the form of an RFP. (30 days)
• 2. Widely distribute the RFP & give adequate time for proposals to be prepared (90-120 days).
• 3. Evaluate proposals and select a preferred developer (45-60 days).
• 4. Negotiate a development agreement (60 days).
• 5. Work through the contingencies, ie. zoning, financial assurances, infrastructure, environmental cleanup, etc (6 months-1 year).
• 6. Close on the land and begin construction.

(Reference is made to the GANTT chart timeline)

“Also, I think it would be wise to leave the Celery Pond portion out of the land that is offered for development at this time. If a MDEQ permit is received, council can make a decision on that project at that time and it can stand/fall on its own merits.

“Recommendation:

“Discuss and give direction on each of the questions noted in the draft RFP.”
(City Manager’s Report continues tomorrow.)

Please note, from the Blog Author:

• The Broadway Road extension is under discussion.
  
• Celery Pond file is closed, but we’re assured will be re-opened sometime before the April 6th deadline to reactivate it. Once reactivated, there is up to a 3 month period given for the MDEQ to decide. That means that anywhere from April to July 2006 (depending on when the resubmission occurs), there could be an answer on the Celery Pond issue.
  
• If you want to save Celery Pond as well as challenge the public land sale to a referendum, stay tuned to the blog and active in the workshop agenda and council meetings.

Just a reminder that you can purchase tote bags and caps at Whimsy (415 Phoenix) or Renaissance (507 Phoenix)–they’re great gifts to give and also support a wonderful cause. Caps come in cactus green (below) and dusty grey. The tote bags are roomy enough for beach towels, items from the farmers’ market or books to the library. The great blue heron symbolically brings us home. The great blue heron is what we chose to identify our effort to save the wetland. Herons can teach us about great and swift actions, and creating community. They remind us to be grateful for home and its natural beauty. These graceful birds are a real gift for all of us to enjoy, loving their home in the Celery Pond.

Concluding the excerpts from Ashley Bell’s article in the Summer 2006 edition of Michigan Parks and Recreation Magazine:

“Trees and other vegetation also bring much needed relief from the blazing heat and humidity of the summer season. When the summer days go from sunny to scorching, tree shade becomes highly coveted by those working and playing outdoors. But, trees do more than provide temporary cover from the sun. According to the Trust for Public Land, “trees act as natural air conditioners to help keep cities cooler, mitigating the effects of concrete and glass that can turn cities into ovens under the summer sun. The evaporation from a single large tree can produce the cooling effect of ten room-size airconditioners operating 24 hours a day (footnoted).

“The impact that parks have on protecting against environmental degradation and improving ecological systems is not only measured by health statistics and dollars saved on pollution systems. The view of clear skies, the taste of clean water, the feel and smell of fresh, crisp air are in themselves more than enough reasons to protect and develop parks and other natural areas.

“The measures that we take, or do not take, to preserve and enhance our natural environment are a testament to our societal values. How can a civilized nation justify defiling its own air and water? How we choose to develop and maintain our physical environment is a reflection of who we are. Supporting parks and other public green space shows pride for our community, a respect for all life forms, and an awareness of our relationship to-and dependence on-the natural world.

“Many Americans have shown that they are willing to financially invest in their local parks. Research conducted by the Trust for Public Land revealed that, “In the November 2002 elections, voters in 93 communities in 22 states approved ballot measures that committed $2.9 billion to acquire and restore land for parks and open space. Voters approved 85% of such referendums in these elections. Voter support in 2002 increased from the already strong 75% approval rate for similar measures in November 2001 (footnoted).

“In an interview with the National Recreation and Park Association, former Pittsurgh Mayor Tom Murphy, stressed the essential role parks assume in our cities, “In order to retain the best and brightest, you have to offer residents a very high quality of life. Ensuring that we have beautiful, accessible and open parks and miles of riverfront and park trails is a key component to guaranteeing a high quality of life.” (footnoted) Along with their physical beauty and recreational activities, the environmental protection that parks provide contributes to the community’s overall quality of life.”

**end of article**

Continuing the third part of Ashley Bell’s article that appeared in the Summer 2006 edition of Michigan Parks and Recreation Magazine:

“Parks are also instrumental in reducing the amount of pollution that flows into bodies of water. In urban areas paved with concrete sidewalks, streets, parking lots and other inpermeable surfaces, rainfall causes pesticides, fertilizers, antifreeze, oil and other contaminates to run-off into various bodies of water. As much as 85% of all precipitation can enter nearby water systems in the form of polluted runoff (footnoted). These contaminants can poison water systems creating fish kills and disrupting or even destroying aquatic habitats. Bacteria and other pathogens can also pollute beaches and other recreational water areas to the point that they must be closed down. Drinking water supplies are also in danger of being infected with run-off.

“The soil and vegetation in parks and other unpaved areas absorb and filter the pollutants in run-off and slows down its flow, thereby significantly reducing the amount of run-off that reaches bodies of water (footnoted). As with air pollution, nature is cheaper and more effective at preventing and controlling water pollution than man-made drainage systems. The American Forests Urban Resource Center (AFURC) states that “by incorporating trees into a city’s infrastructure, managers can build a smaller, less expensive storm water managemnent system.”

“That is exactly what the city of Garland, Texas did. City officials encouraged property owners to plant more trees by basing stormwater fees on the amount of impervious surface and volume of storm water a property generates instead of charging a flat fee (footnoted). The Trust for Public Land estimated that the city’s tree covers saved it from having to handle an additional 19 million cubic feet of storm water, saving the city $38 million in costs to build retention facilities to handle that additional storm water (footnoted). The AFURC estimates that trees in the United States’ metropolitan areas save U.S. cities $400 billion in the cost of building storm water retention facilites. (footnoted)”

**the article continues in tomorrow’s post…

Continuing the article written by Ashley Bell for Michigan Parks and Recreation Magazine from the Summer 2006 edition:

“Parks produce substantial environmental benefits by way of pollution control. Soil, trees, and other vegetation are highly effective in absorbing contaminants that pollute the air and water and are cheaper to develop and maintain than pollution control facilities. The U.S. Forest Service calculated that one tree alone generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water, and controls $31, 250 worth of soil erosion over a 50-year lifetime (footnoted). In one year, the Florida Department of Natural Resources estimates that the average tree in a city is worth $275 in air conditioning costs, erosion control, wildlife protection, and air pollution.

“A study commissioned by the non-profit organization Surface Transportation Policy Project reported that the air in many cities throughout the United States is polluted–and the amount of pollution is growing. “Almost half of all Americans–over 130 million people–live in areas that violate federal health standards for air pollution,” the policy project reports (footnooted). Thirty metropolitan areas had increases in the number of days with ground level ozone…Detroit and Grand Rapids are two of the 30 cities that had an increase in the number of days with unhealthy ground level ozone…

“…high concentrates of air pollution, especially particulates which are emitted from the smoke of cars and power plants, are linked to a laundry list of health problems including asthma and other respiratory problems, cancer, heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, birth defects, brain damage, and ever premature death (footnoted). The Journal of the American Medical Association published one of the most persuasive pieces of scholarship linking air pollution to physical health…

“Everyday parks fight against these deadly pollutants and make the air cleaner, fresher, and healthier. Leafy plants improve air quality by absorbing significant levels of air pollutants like ground level ozone, sulfur dioxide, and particulates. Trees can reduce the street level of particulates by 60%. (footnoted) Parks with contiguous forests remove 15% of ozone, 14% of sulfur dioxide, 13% of particulates, 8% of nitrogen dioxide, and 0.05 percent of the carbon monoxide from the air (footnoted). In 1994, trees in New York City removed an estimated 1,821 metric tons of air pollution at an estimated value to society of $9.5 million (footnoted).”

to be continued tomorrow…

Today and this week, you can read excerpts from an article that appeared in the Summer 2006 edition of Michigan Parks and Recreation Magazine (www.mrpaonline.org). Written by Ashley Bell, it looks at open spaces and parks, with the focus on how essential they are to the healthy maintenance and preservation of our precious environment. It gives adequate reason why South Haven should seriously consider preservering its public lands in the Dunkley Street area, if ever referendumed by the public. It shows how important it is to think ahead and what monies are really involved, along with our health.

“For most people parks are simply a place for recreation. They are neighborhood jungle gyms bustling with children, the public waterfronts dotted with picnic tables, and the walking trails and field tracks swarming with joggers, strollers and everyone else in between. Unfortunately, the environmental protection and services provided by parks are not as visible.

“People see and value the preservation of natural green space in parks as well as the redevelopment of neglected land into attractive and functional community gardens.

“In a nationwide poll, Americans cited access to greenery and open spaces as major components to a satisfactory quality of life (footnote reference 1). But what many people don’t see or realize is that the presence of natural green space has a myriad of environmental benefits that go well beyond aesthetics and recreation.

“Our nation’s public parks are shelters for biodiversity–the variety of distinct plant and animal species and ecosystems–which is fundamental in maintaining environmental integrity and balance…parks are especially important refuges for endangered plants, animals and ecosystems…

“…biodiversity correlates with the level of resilence an ecosystem has to environmental changes and is, therefore, an important factor in the well-being of ecological systems. “Healthy, intact ecosystems build soil, prevents erosion, stores and cycles nutrients, and provides economic benefits through such valuable products as wood fiber, foodstuffs, dyes, resins, and oils,” states Dave Simon, former regional director of the National Parks and Conservation Association.

“Preserving biodiversity is also a medical necessity….more than 50% of the most prescribed medicines in the United States contain compounds derived from natural products….the pivotal role parks and recreation spaces play in safeguarding biodiversity, among other things, makes them enviornmental necessities.”

to be continued tomorrow…

It’s that time of year to remember people and reflect on the year. Time to remember the people and events that have so involved us during that time. Time to give gifts and for people of goodwill, to hold hope for what may be.

The course of the wetland saga of Celery Pond continues. The community walks this summer around the Dunkley area and to the Pond are good memories of community gatherings. Seeing the blue heron fly by and the geese overhead, hearing the frogs at night singing their song around the Celery Pond with a full moon rising over it in the east, these are gifts from the outside. To match them from the inside, would mean to think of preserving the Pond, the wetland and the floodplains in a different way of ‘development’ than condos and a marina.

We can only hope that the new year will see that new perspectives will evolve. What might they be?

• That the wetland will be sanctioned as untouchable to the likes of dredging and intrusion, and that the wetland might be acquired, managed and preserved, through funds collected through the nonprofit efforts of Celery Pond Advocates, so that it can be given a new status, as a nature preserve.
  
• That the wetland with its impact on hydrology, the natural history and the watershed dynamics, might be acknowledged so that that this information will be gathered together and placed into the nature center, through signage, trails or even a natural history building itself.
• That the public lands might be reconsidered before they are bid off for sale; that they might be referendumed at large, with the public voting on their destiny.
  
• That we might have a plan, other than commerical/residential usage that might allow for a park, and other ideas, such as a new art center, an outdoor theater near the river bend for dance and music, gardens to teach us, and spaces for children, adults and our pets to enjoy.
• That we might be given the opportunity to design such a plan for all to decide on.
  
• That we might all experience a moon rising over this quiet, mysteriously misty space on a typical summer evening, hearing the music of Nature and enjoying a new dimension of South Haven with our whole community sharing that experience, looking to the future with other endless ideas.

These are some things to entertain in a vision, with a hope of something to open and inspire our minds. This would allow a greater community to participate in the design of something uniquely possible for us in this area of Celery Pond and the lands which the community owns next to it. The harvest season is over, the stories told, it’s time to watch, work and move forward in meeting the new year, starting from this holiday season of wishing goodwill to all men and women, and with goodwill, honoring all of nature and her gifts to us.

**To support our effort to save the wetland, you can purchase caps and tote bags which are on sale at two locations in South Haven: Renaissance (507 Phoenix Street, 637-7033) and Whimsy (415 Phoenix Street).

Starting from Monday of this week, this concludes Beth Clawson’s story as told at the Watershed Short Course in Lawrence, Michigan on October 31, 2006:

“It poured into the storm drain with bits of paper and plastic and a floating pop cap. Further down, a dead frog coated in black slime floated in an increasing trickle of black rainbows, mixing with the soil and paper becoming a glob of goop. Soon it would be unrecognizable as it mixed with paint and pesticides. Increasing in strength and volume as the rain continued to pound the ground and accumulate in the gutters and flow to the drain the first gush hit Elm Creek. Brown sediment choking off the oxygen, the creek shuddered. Water mixed with black oil coating everything and clogging air-tube, gill and stomata, pesticides, herbicides killing insects and plants alike finishing up with a dose of fertilizer to feed the algae. The creek swelled as if gasing its last breath, and spewed brown/green water into the big lake.

It was a horror! Birds fled, fish, turtles, and frogs died. The bodies of the dead too numerous to count, except for no one did because they floated to the big lake and sank to the bottom where they were covered with more soil and chemicals to be seen no more.

…and that my friend is the nightmare of Elm Creek. Where normal people live normal lives doing the same things every summer as the summer before, except this time, little Timmy Egard was heard to say, “Daddy, why can’t I hear the frogs anymore?”

***End***

We thank Beth Clawson for sharing her story with us. It gives pause to think. What we do and how we think affects every form of life around us. To be indifferent to it all is perhaps the worst evil we can imagine. To think everyone has a right to do as they please on their property, is to understand that unavoidable consequences do evolve because with the flow of waters, there are no boundaries and all becomes one, in a great symbolic parable.

We can create efforts to sustain life or we can create conditions to deaden it, without even being conscious of if. It’s time we begin to wake up: Nature is being stripped down and taken away from us if we support our acquisition-mode thinking. We can’t possibly believe that new ecosystems will simply appear again to give the balance and beauty that eons of time have given. As a community, we must step forward with progressive ideas that seek to sustain and preserve lands and waterways, otherwise we will have to live through a story of imbalanced excesses of our actions which will meet us in the future.